CHSAA Class AA girls basketball state tournament preview

All the debate will finally be settled.

By week’s end the CHSAA’s top girls basketball team will be crowned in a tournament that rivals any in the country with talent and its grueling nature.

Nationally ranked Nazareth will look for a second straight crown and a trip upstate to defend its state Federation Class AA title in Albany. Christ the King, tje winner two years ago, is hoping to get back to the mountaintop after winning its 26th Brooklyn/Queens title in 28 tries. St. Anthony’s, also nationally ranked, is trying to erase the memory of last year’s defeat to Nazareth in the semifinals and earn its first trip upstate in the highest classification.

Denis Gostev

Nazareth's Darius Faulk will try to lead her team to a second straight CHSAA Class AA state title.

Denis Gostev

Christ the King and Rayne Connell head into the tournament off winning the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens title.

Bishop Ford coach Mike Toro felt all year he had a group talented enough to finally get the Falcons to Albany and they have proven that. A loss to CK in the diocesan final notwithstanding, Ford has been arguably the city most consistent team. A year ago, Molloy was on the road to claiming a state Federation Class A crown and this year was about accomplishing more. A deep run to a title would certainly be that.

St. John the Baptist started the season slow, but ever since getting star Anastasia Williams back the Cougars have become a force playing at the level expected by coach Ted Oberg. With St. Peter’s and St. Michael Academy closed, Moore Catholic has developed into the premier Archdiocesan program. Some success in the Class AA state tournament is the next step.

SCHEDULE

March 7

Quarterfinals @ St. Francis Prep

4 p.m. – Bishop Ford vs. Moore Catholic

5:45 p.m. – Nazareth vs. St. John the Baptist

7:30 p.m. – Archbishop Molloy vs. St. Anthony’s

March 9

Semifinals @ Archbishop Molloy

5 p.m. – Bishop Ford/Moore vs. Molloy/St. Anthony’s

7 p.m. – Christ the King vs. Nazareth/St. John the Baptist

March 10

Final @ Christ the King

7 p.m. – Semifinal winners

Archbishop Molloy Stanners

Head coach: Scott Lagas

Record: 18-9

Player to watch: Amani Tatum

Outlook: The Stanners may not be the sexy pick in this tournament, but there is no reason why they can’t make a run. Molloy does own two wins over CK, beat Ford and only fell to Nazareth by 10 in their last meeting. There may not be a tougher competitor than point guard Amani Tatu, who can get to the basket at will. Forward Carolyn Gallagher can score in bunches and will try to rebound from a tough outing against Ford. Nyasha Irizarry and Kamille Ejerta can both light things up from the outside. Patti Drogler adds a toughness inside.

Bishop Ford Falcons

Head coach: Mike Toro

Record: 22-5

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Nazareth, CHSAA Class AA state, Darius Faulk, Christ the King, Archbishop Molloy, Anastasia Williams, St. Michael Academy, Bishop Ford, CHSAA, Ted Oberg, Amani Tatu

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